Paratour 2013 - Boston

On my 26th birthday when I found out the Farro's were leaving Paramore, I was pretty devastated. No one (including the band) knew if Paramore would continue. Thankfully, they did. The 3 remaining members came together, grieved, and wrote this insanely awesome self-titled album. It went to #1 on Billboard. And finally, after 2.5 years, I got to see Paramore in concert again :) People think I'm silly for breaking up my work vacation to go to shows. But after this week I don't regret it one bit! Best vacation, and I disconnected from work so well! I am refreshed!



Tuesday morning I left my parents home in Fredericton and drove to Boston in 7 hours. I only stopped for Starbucks and gas/bathroom. I love driving and was so content and relaxed the whole way down. We stayed at a Best Western in the Brighton/Boston University area. It was nice enough, clean, and with free breakfast (which I never ate because sleep > food). It was also right next to a T Train stop. I wasn't there 10min and a bunch of my friends arrived :) 2 Americans and 2 Scotts! We wandered to CVS and waited for Dan to arrive before taking the T into downtown. We walked out of the Subway station on Boylston right to the Marathon finish line. Craaaazy. I always feel like I live so far away when tragedy happens, and then I'm right there. That evening we went to the Apple Store (biggest one in the USA!), Bolocos for Supper (yum!), Newbury Comics, Pinkberry Frozen Yogurt, and the Hard Rock Cafe for drinks. I was there in 2007 with Lorne, before the Hanson show :) Chriss was great at showing us around. We walked the Freedom Trail and she showed us all the sights. This day ended with a wonderful 9 hour sleep... I knew the next day would be tiresome!



Wednesday: show day 1! We went in early in the afternoon and met up with Dan & Dustin. We walked by the venue, and Paramore's bus. I had to buy Advil because I had gone and pulled a muscle the day before (way to be, Jen). Some of the others went adventuring around Boston again, but I knew a full day of walking + concert = I'd be dead. So I sat in line with Ross & Roisin, and met some fans I knew from online. When it got freezing I retreated to Starbucks for a hot green tea :) And bought my Boston Starbucks mug! I had Chipotle for supper but I was too nervous/excited to eat much. This happens sometimes :)


I went back to the venue around 5:30. There were a TON of people there. I met Nick who was also staying with us. We hung out by the doors since many of us had won either M&G or early entry (the latter for me). M&G went in on time, and just after 6:30pm the early entry people were allowed in, just as it started to rain. Ahhhh sweet. After waiting in the lobby for 5-10 min, we were let in, and I got on barricade stage left, in front of Jeremy. I purposely did not try for middle because Paramore crowds are MUCH more intense/pushy than Hanson ones. I have been front for Paramore once before and had to get pulled out before they even came on because I thought my ribs were going to break (Actually... I was in 2006 but it was a club show... doesn't count). Anna also taught me new tricks of how to beat the crowd, and it worked! So I am proud to say I stayed barricade for the whole show and had an AMAZING time!!!!

Kitten came on right at 8. They are... interesting. Not really my style but they put on one heck of a show. I liked the guys more than Chloe.... she's like way over-the-top, jumping on security guards and kicking their heads and such. And it's not like.... real singing. Anyway. It was fine. haha. They were done within 40min. And just after 9 Paramore came on!!


It was so nice for once to see everyone having FUN on stage! They all seemed so happy. Being right in front of Jeremy is great, he is so engaged with the crowd. They played 5 songs from the new album: "Moving On", "Ain't it Fun" (FAVORITE), "Fast in my Car", "Anklebiters" (where they bring fans on stage), and "Proof" (another favorite). I love how they started with the outro. It reminded me of 2006 with the Johnny Cash intro. Also starting with Misery Business is brilliant. Gets the crowd going right from the start. I had so much fun, dancing, jumping, singing along, screaming my head off, and even getting banged around a bit. The set was a comfortable 19 songs, just long enough but not so long you're wondering when it's going to end :) For the last song they had confetti canons and one was RIGHT in front of my face. I thought I was going to die haha. That night there was confetti coming out of me from everywhere when I got in the shower!

I will say one thing though.... I miss having a full band on stage that are members of the band. The drummer was okay.... but he's not Zac. He messed up a few times. And I don't know his name. And he hasn't been with them before, and next tour it might be someone different. Justin & Jon are different, they've been with them since 09/10. I need a drummer to connect with! I applaud Paramore for getting through these last 2 years and forging ahead. I know they're keeping it to 3 official members for now, but I am looking forward to the day when Paramore has a drummer in the official band that I can groove with and connect to.

Anyway, that is a minor thing. The show was FUN! And I was SO HAPPY I got to do another one the next day. First time doing back-to-back for Paramore, and I liked it. I also love the HOB in Boston. I was there in 2007 for Hanson when it was the Avalon. I loved it then and I love it now. Great sound, great standing areas, just great!!

After the show our crew walked a few blocks to a hot dog place I forget the name of.... always hungry after shows :) I had some fries and pop cause I was SO THIRSTY after that. I definitely lost 5lbs in sweat from that show. Gross. Then we rode the T back to our hotel and passed out :)

This is getting long... I'll blog about part 2 soon!

Photos

Back to the Island - Hanson in Jamaica! (pt. 2)

We got up on Sunday with the morning before us :) After some breakfast we hit the beach and plunked there until 2pm. As I am writing this it is currently -39 C outside with windchill... oh how I miss the beach!!! This might have been the day we walked the beach.... Mom wanted to go the whole way but it was so far, so we went to where the resorts ended and it turned into some shops and stuff, then we came back. There was a nude beach right next to our resort so that was funny. Mom was all shocked "Are they NAKED?? I don't see any swimsuit lines!" hahaha.

We had a late lunch and were going to secure a good table for the afternoon sessions, but everyone else had the same idea except way before us. Ah well. So after lunch we went by the pool for a bit. It was good to go for a dip as it was super hot there without the wind off the ocean. Around 3:15 or so I heard drumming - what??? Turns out a fan got up to entertain everyone while they were waiting. She was really good! So I chatted with her a bit about drums and learning by listening to Hanson, etc. The Breezes staff did a great job keeping everyone entertained. Games and dances and the like. Around 3:30 Taylor showed up to do his cooking session.

This one wasn't as fun as Zac's because it was all of us sitting and watching him do stuff. I don't know the first thing about cooking so I learned some new information (that I have since forgot). Before it started Tay did a quick Q&A with a few fans, and as he made food he gave it out for fans to try. His session lasted about an hour and then he left, with hoards of people following to try and get a photo.

At 4:30 was Isaac's mixology session. Even though this one also was not interactive, it was fun to watch Isaac. It turned into a dance lesson as well as he was doing the YMCA, Soulja boy, "smooth and deadly", and cha cha slide. He had a great time mixing all the drinks and calling fans up to sample if his or the bartenders was better (The fans always said Isaac's was better - funny that). At the end he made a drink he called "Let's Get it On... or at least try" because seriously it was all strong liquor. He also drank some straight vodka at one point. haha. Isaac is a sweetheart and was fun to watch. His session was over around 5:30, and he also left with lots of fans trailing after him.

Mom went back to the room to rest during Isaac's session, so I went back to find her at 5:30 and to get ready for supper. We made late reservations at La Piacere, the French Restaurant. My friend was right - this was the best restaurant in the resort! It was quiet and there was a classical piano player there while we ate. After supper we spent some time online in the lobby, and wandered to the stage around 9:30 to check out Charlie Mars & Robert Schwartzman in concert. The crowd, of course, was a lot more chill, but this made for some fun! Charlie Mars was not as bad as I remembered in Portland. During his set I went around the stage getting pictures of what it all looked like. His set was about 30min long and then Robert Schwartzman came on. I really liked his music! He's the lead singer of the band "Rooney" and also has some solo stuff. Even though it was one guy and a guitar, he had some real energy on stage. He called up some girls who were dancing to join him on the final song, and for the encore Isaac Hanson joined him to sing "Aint no Sunshine" and a Beatles tune (which Mom loved). So it was a great show!

The show ended a lot earlier than the Hanson nights (partially cause it actually started on time!) so Mom & I went to the lobby for some internet time to end the night. While we were sitting there, Isaac walked by with his wife. We said hello and I thanked Isaac for publishing my comment in this year's Hanson calendar. Then we went to bed, and that was the end of day 3!

Monday was a basically free day until 4pm. BEACH PARTY. This is the day we really got most of our sun. Our new friend Martina spent the day with us, which meant I had someone to go on a sailboat with and bob around in the water :) We were on the beach until 1, had lunch, and sat by the pool for the afternoon. Around 3:45 I opened my eyes to see all of Hanson walking by (Zac dancing to the sound system music) as they were heading to the autograph signing (or at least that's what we thought it was). People had already started lining up, but the green pass people (that's me) were supposed to be second, and everyone was guaranteed an autograph anyway, so Mom & I decided to bake in the sun as long as possible.

Around 4:30 we got too hot so we went inside to the bar and to see how big the line was getting. At this point it had started, but when I looked up to the front of the line I saw fans getting pictures with the band. I guess it changed! Of course here are Mom & I in our swimsuits and coverups. Some fans took off back to their rooms to get cleaned up and prettied. But I was like you know what? We're in Jamaica on a resort vacation. Let's look the part! So once the line got small Mom & I got in, and had our pictures taken with Hanson in our swimsuits. We got to chat with them briefly as well. Zac said he appreciated my comment that's in the Calendar and that it "deserved to be published" :) Taylor thought it was neat that we were on a mother/daughter trip. They are all just so sweet. I am glad they changed their mind and did group photos. For some fans this was their first time meeting them all, and it was a HUGE deal (confirmed by tears afterwards!). It was a happy time :)

After our up-close-and-personal with the Band, we got cleaned up for supper and headed to the beach banquet! This was a finale thing for the BTTI event, all the restaurants had their food there in a giant buffet, there were tables out on the lawn for everybody, and a steel drum band played while we ate. It was a great chance to connect with more fans (10 to a table), and a good way to end off the trip. After supper we had a little while to get changed and relax, and then it was time for the final show!

Although part of me enjoyed night 2 of being a little closer, I think I had more fun night 1 when I was back a bit, so that's what I did on the final night. During the 2nd song I went around the stage and got some interesting angles I can't usually get at normal shows, and then I spent the night dancing like an idiot and singing along. At first myself (and others) were a little miffed that so many songs were a repeat from the first shows... but then I told myself "I'm on a beach watching Hanson perform, who cares what they play!" That thought left quickly though when they kicked in to 2 brand new songs: the new upcoming single "Get the Girl Back" and a Zac lead called "You Can't Stop Us Now." They were so good I basically had tears. I love it when your fave band hits it on the MONEY in terms of what you hope the new album will sound like!!! So good!!!!

After the show Mom & I went back to the lobby to check the internets, and possibly to get to say another hello to one of the guys. I did see Isaac head "upstairs" (I have no idea where it goes) and thought perhaps he'd leave the same way as the night before. But after sitting there for about 30min we decided there must have been a back way, so we went on for bed. What we didn't know is a couple minutes later, the guys came out, walked by right where we were sitting, and went into the Piano Bar for an impromptu set with whatever lucky fans happened to be sitting in there!!! DANG. But you know... you can't win em all. Not everyone could have fit, and it would have been an incredible experience for whoever was in there.

On Tuesday we got up and went to breakfast, the whole day before us. Most fans were leaving so it felt it a little strange. We spent the entirety of that day on the beach just soaking it in. At one point Mom was like "is it normal to feel depressed after an event is over? Because I'm sad all the Hanson stuff is done." Mom had PHCD hehehehe. I managed to get Mom on the glass-bottom boat ride which was a miracle! We met 2 girls who told us about the Piano Bar the night before. And yeah... we were lazy and sat on the beach all day! :D

That night we went to La Pasta for supper since it was the only restaurant we hadn't been to. Was also probably my least favorite. That evening we took in some resort entertainment, which changed dramatically after all the Hanson fans pulled out. I guess it went more traditional Jamaican culture compared to the 90s/00s stuff they did for us. We spent some time at the Piano Bar (I totally rocked this game some Hanson fans were playing with the bartenders haha) and spent some time in the lobby online. We went to bed early and that was that!

Wednesday we got up, packed up, and moved out of our room. We didn't have to leave the Resort until 4 though, so we sat by the pool and enjoyed the last few precious minutes of sun and warmth. At 4 we shuttled back to the airport with 2 friends from Ontario, and at 8:15pm we left :( It was a FANTASTIC vacation. While we were there they announced BTTI 2014 and gave those of us there first dibs on a spot for next year. So my room is already reserved :) Until next time!

Photos

Back to the Island - Hanson in Jamaica! (pt 1)

Before I went on this trip a friend asked if this was the best vacation I could ever dream up. Short of getting to play on stage with Hanson or sharing a meal with them or something.... yes, this is the best vacation I could dream up. Which is why I have plans to go again in 2014 :)

Mom & I flew from Toronto down to Montego Bay on Jan 11. Immigration and Customs went smoothly and we were in the Breezes waiting area in no time, along with a bunch of fans, Hanson's North American booking agent, and Charlie Mars. The drive down was quite interesting. Jamaica has no need for highway systems so we went through many communities and saw a fair amount of poverty. It made me sad. We also saw lots of school children in uniforms. On the drive we made friends with a few fans who we ended up spending time with throughout the trip. In a little over 90min we were at Breezes Grand in Negril.

The checkin process was a bit strange. I think the resort was overwhelmed by the number of people arriving all at once. It was very cool to hear Hanson doing soundcheck as we offloaded from the bus and walked into the lobby :) We were to told to basically wait around and then a staff member came, called our name, and led us to our room. There was no mention of a bag service which apparently WAS available. So we dragged our bags around and broke wheels and I thought Mom wasn't going to make it. But we eventually made it to our room.

Going in I knew this was only a 3.5/4 star resort so I wasn't expecting the room to compare with what I experienced in Mexico (which was a 5+ star place). It was clean and everything worked. Lovely. Now off to the stage!! By the time we got there just Isaac was left, fiddling with some guitar settings. The stage was right on the beach next to the ocean. So cool! We went to the Island Gigs desk but by this time it was after 5 so they were gone already. We ate at the Grand Cafe that night with Rachel (a new friend whose roommate missed her flight). The food was delicious!! As a friend had advised, desserts were not great. After supper we got ready for show #1!

There were only 400 fans at this thing so there really was not a bad spot for the show. I got Mom a chair in the back and went down to the crowd about 9:10. Of course Hanson were about an hour late getting on. I sat in the sand and waited, and said hello to Taylor as he grabbed a drink at the bar before going on stage. The energy of the show was amazing!! This first night they played "all the classics" as Taylor said. I couldn't complain about the setlist at all. Zac treated us to a new song called "Save Me From Myself" (I think) and Isaac played River!! There was jumping and dancing and all around a good time. All of us (including the band) had moments of thinking "I can't believe we are on a beach and doing this".

After the first show we headed to the Far Bar late night bonfire/BBQ on the other end of the beach. On the way I spied Zac chatting with 2 girls behind some of the resort rooms. So I went to say hi and got a picture :) Was not expecting that kind of luck. The bonfire was a bit chaotic, but we tried some jerk chicken, listened to a reggae band and then called it a night.

The first morning we could not get to that beach fast enough! I think Mom & I were at breakfast by 8:30am (which is impressive since we weren't in bed until almost 1:30). I think I ate french toast, cereal, and hard boiled eggs almost every morning. We only had about an hour or so on the beach before it was time for Zac's tie-dye session. I really had no idea what to expect for this but I was impressed with how well it went, and how well the fans controlled themselves (I did find out though that my group was the hyper one, and the red group was far more chill). Zac arrived and plot himself down next to some of my friends, and then everyone else gathered around as the resort staff explained how to make our shirts.  I somehow managed to have somewhat of a conversation with Zac about music and tie-dying and first Hanson concerts (haha). I also officially met their booking agent and thanked him for helping get Hanson to Halifax next August (he told me they're definitely coming back and are already working on it. Woo!). Once all of our shirts were tied together the dye came out and we went around dipping our shirts and getting our fingers dyed too (oops). A few fans followed Zac around but the majority of the 200 people were fine :) Then we undid our shirts, Zac carried on on stage a bit, and proceeded to try to leave. It was then that he was really bombarded with people trying to get a picture with him. I assumed him trying to leave meant it was over so Mom and I went back to our room to get ready for lunch. We found out after he came back for a tie-dye fashion show. Ah well.

After lunch we had all afternoon free for the beach!! Too bad it got cloudy halfway through :( But it was some good sunnage, good reading, good napping. Around 4:15 we thought we'd go back to shower for supper since we had reservations for 6. I of course walked through the grand terrazera to see if I could see how Taylor's session was going but I guess it was already over. We then proceeded to walk right to Isaac, who was waiting in the lobby to start his own session. We said hello and I got a picture with him as well :) Meeting 2 of them within the first 24 hours is pretty great luck imo!

For supper we went to the Munasan which was a Japanese sushi/tepyanaki grill place. We met some more great fans and had a real loud, fun time. The food was excellent but the show doesn't compare to what I had on my birthday back in Moncton :) After the show we went back to our room for a bit before the concert. Mom wasn't feeling that well I think from all the travel/lack of sleep over the last 48 hours. So she missed the acoustic show and stayed in bed :( I am sad for her, cause it would have been her favorite show, but if she went it might have ruined the rest of her trip.

I had never been to an acoustic Hanson show before so I knew I wanted to be a little closer for this one.  I went to the crowd around 8:30 and met some great people. I ended up 4th row center by the time it started. They didn't repeat a single song from the night before and we got some really nice stuff. Another new song from Zac, More Than Anything from Isaac, Be My Own from Taylor, I finally heard Sunny Day/Cecilia for the first time. Go acoustic is like the best thing ever. Oh man. Oh and Runaway Run!!! And Penny & Me. Just so much good :) I am amazed at the energy they carry even without the bottom instruments. I would love love to see them in this setup again sometime.

After the show I went to the Reggae Cafe for some fries before going home. Mom had a great sleep and was feeling much better. After watching some CSI we went to sleep and finished day 2!

Photos

Soulquest in Bangor!

Several months ago it was announced that Switchfoot & Needtobreathe were playing at an event called "Soulquest" in Bangor ME. So of course I bought tickets the day it went on sale :) I was planning to have my fall weekend away then, but as I chatted with others I thought it might be able to turn into a Young Adult event. In the end, 15 of us from TJC went down overnight to this sweet show.

We left around 8:30 on Saturday in 3 different vehicles. After some Starbucks we hit the road, stopping only for the bathroom, gas, food, and American money (so I guess we stopped a lot). We got to Bangor shortly after 1pm and waited to checkin to our hotel. After that some of us went right to the day-long festival, others went to Target and the mall. After the mall we had a rididculously cheap supper at Applebee's then headed to the show.

When we got there we found out 2 of our people got engaged on stage!!!! Congrats to Luke & Bethany! So there was a lot of excitement in the air, even though it was cold and damp at the outdoor venue. I bought a Switchfoot shirt and looked around at some stuff, then went to my seat for Brandon Heath. He was pretty good, but I was super antsy for Needtobreathe and Switchfoot to come on.

Needtobreathe were great live! They had lots of energy and their quality live is every bit as good as in studio. Security kept putting everyone in their seats which kept the energy a little low. I know Needtobreathe's songs fairly well, but not well enough to bolt out every word. Still, they were fun :) After them was Switchfoot! I saw them at Soulfest two years ago so I knew we were in for a fantastic show. As for every other band, people raced the stage when they came on, but this time no security came to return people to their seats. So John & Hannah went to the front, and after a couple minutes of debating I joined them. We were basically 2nd/3rd row. I have never seen Hannah so excited! It was fun.

As per usual Switchfoot put on a great show. They did several from their latest album and a surprising number of older ones (Meant to Live, Dare You to Move, Stars, and some others). In like the 2nd or 3rd song Jon Foreman came down into the crowd. So of course everyone went to him... so of course I went to barricade :D 88 concerts and I've developed from skill! I enjoyed one song up there but then gave it to Hannah since I know they are one of her faves. I enjoyed the rest of the show from 3rd row, singing along and dancing and having a good time. I forgot about the cold!

Switchfoot didn't end until 11:15 or so, and of course we were all hungry so we went to McDonalds. Did you know that US McDonalds had "mighty kids meals" that are the size of our adult meals in Canada? It's kind of gross. Also who wants 20 chicken nuggets? I kind of feel like that's an artery blockage waiting to happen. Anyways, none of the rooms were very long going to bed that night as we were all tired out from the travel and the show.

On Sunday we got up for our free breakfast, then puttered around at Starbucks or the mall for a bit before driving home. The drive home was brutal, so much heavy rain. But people were safe and we made it back to Brentwood by 6pm, right on schedule! Roadtrips are such a good idea... you really develop deeper relationships with people that way. Hopefully TJC Young Adults can get into the habit of doing them every year :) Until the next one!

Jars of Clay

So on Thursday I went to a concert that I wasn't that excited to go to. I more or less bought the tickets out of nostalgia. Back in 2001-02 I had some Jars of Clay on my Christian mix CDs downloaded from Napster, so I thought it'd be fun to go and hear "Flood" live. Laura came with me, and when I got there I was disappointed at the size of the crowd. I'm thinking Moncton has been over saturated with Christian concerts lately. And I would later learn, Jars of Clay is one of the most underrated bands ever.

Jon somebody opened... I definitely knew a couple of his songs from radio. My friend from Halifax was his drummer. It was all acoustic and quite nice. During intermission I found a ton of people I know, and then Jars took the stage. The show was acoustic. The lead guy was the percussionist and he had a snare, a cymbal, a bass thing he could hit his foot with, some shakers/tambourine, and a drum loop machine. Then there were two guitars, a keyboard, and a cello! And, some of the best 4-part harmonies I have ever heard.

Seriously... THEY WERE SO GOOD! I wish I was their #1 fan before I went to this show. I love acoustic things, and harmonies, and cellos. It was very very well done. They were also friendly and fun with the audience. I bought their latest album while watching the show (thanks Moncton Wesleyan open wifi!) and got a TShirt. Seriously loved it. Ah man. If/when they come back I'm making it a youth event.

And that was concert 87!

Hanson in... Halifax???

Yes my friends. It finally happened. I have seen Hanson live 15 times in faraway lands. Toronto or Montreal or Boston or NYC or Chicago. I had given up hope that they would ever come to my part of Canada. But sometime in April a one-off show got announced in Halifax! Cue fangirling and immediate purchase of tickets. Presale went in my favor and I got front row center seats :D This show was also a unique opportunity to bring lots of friends that would not travel for them. It was a really amazing experience to be able to share my love of this band with them :)

So on show day I woke up and drove from Moncton to Halifax. The Street Team decided to have a lunch together since it was an easy time when we were all in the same place :) I got to meet lots of girls from all over who share my love of Hanson. After lunch I hung out at the Casino for a little while, then rested at the hotel before heading to supper with friends. We went to Salty's downtown since it was a short walk to the Casino.

When we arrived at CasinoNS the doors were already opened so we got in line. Going in.... not even sure to tell you how I felt. It was like my first Hanson concert all over again. It was also exciting to find the stage set up full on electric - Will & D are here!!! It was initially advertised as acoustic so I was ECSTATIC that it was full band. The room was super small and our seats were fantastic. The only two sad things were 1) no Hanson drumhead and 2) the lack of merch!!! There was so little to choose from and it all sold out in 10min. My friends wanted shirts and couldn't get one :( So I told them I'd put an order through the website for them.

Strangely, Hanson were on time and took to the stage at 8:00. Of course the seats meant nothing then as everyone rushed the stage. My friend in row P ending up standing at row C! I ended up on barricade just to the right of center. Kind of close to where I was in Montreal :) The setlist was a lot of fun and not what I expected. They played 21 songs, 7 of which were from Middle of Nowhere! And there was only one song from The Walk, Been There Before. Sooooo strange. I guess their rationale was probably the fact that they had never been here before, and many attenders were most familiar with their older stuff. I got to hear Strong Enough to Break (my fave Hanson song), Madeline acoustic (AMAZING and 97 flashbacks), Sharlene got Penny & Me, and Josh got Thinking of You. My only revision if I had the power would be to switch out Man from Milwaukee with Go. I can't believe they played MFM, hahaha.

The crowd was LOUD and energetic, but not stupid. Woohoo! Even though I was front there was no pushing and no one trying to take my front row spot. I think the kindness of Maritime people really shone through at the show (except for the couple beside me... another story not worth remembering). It was so funny watching the security on the sides... they looked so worried, like if something bad happened they wouldn't be able to control it. I had fun, and at least from where I was standing, it seemed like the crowd was into it.

The band seemed to be really into it too. I was surprised that they didn't take any time to introduce Will & D, and there were no solos. No one went up for Give a Little either, but the stage was SUPER tiny, and it would have been hard to pull someone up the way the barricade was set up (it wasn't one of those big translucent ones that have a wide base... it was like the ones used for line ups into a movie theatre or before an Apple release... so it would have fallen over if someone tried to go over it).

I'm also positive they will come back. If not next year then soon. It will probably be general admission next time especially if it's at CasinoNS. It sold out so fast and GA can hold 300 more people. It was a super fun show!!! It's over now, but it's okay because there is always the next tour, plus Jamaica is in 5 months :) :) :)

After the show I didn't wait around for them to come out and sign. Instead I went to Boston Pizza with my friends for nachos! Hanson show 16 was a lot of fun and very special from all of the ones I've seen... I won't be forgetting it for awhile!

Photos

Michael W Smith... round 2!

So I went on vacation in Maine last week and I had no idea that concert 85 was going to happen (kind of like how I didn't know 84 was going to happen in Calgary). My family goes to Old Orchard Beach almost every year for the Salvation Army Camp Meetings. This year they were ending with a sold-out Michael W Smith concert! Because I have awesome friends who couldn't stay for the show, I got theirs and Mom & I attended. It was the same set that Dave & I saw in May but I still thoroughly enjoyed it, maybe more than the first time. Lots of worship songs I knew and I enjoy his engagement with the audience. There were a lot of visitors there and it was neat to expose them to the Salvation Army. Michael spoke very highly of them :) The opening band was Crossfire Brass, the Camp Band, and Dad's in it! So it's kind of fun to say that my Dad opened for Michael W Smith, haha. Mom really enjoyed the show. I bought an instrumental album which is really great, and his book on prayer which I'll read once Mom is done with it. It was a great show and I'm glad I had the opportunity to see him live... again!